抄録
The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) hemolysis test has been widely used as an index of vitamin E deficiency in animals and humans. In the present study, the relationship between the degree of H2O2 hemolysis and serum vitamin E level was investigated in adult patients with anemia due to various etiologies. H2O2 hemolysis values were found to be abnormally elevated in 4 cases of hereditary spherocytosis, 11 of 40 cases of iron deficiency anemia, 2 of 10 cases of anemia due to renal insufficiency and 1 of 5 cases of anemia due to infection. The elevation of H2O2 hemolysis in cases of anemia due to renal insufficiency or infection was not related to the decrease of serum vitamin E level. However, mean serum vitamin E levels in cases of hereditary spherocytosis and iron deficiency anemia were statistically lower than those of healthy adults. These experiments suggest that low serum vitamin E levels in cases of hereditary spherocytosis and iron deficiency anemia play some role in the cause of fragility of the red blood cells in these anemias.
